Martin Luther King was not the only one with a dream. We Malaysians have a dream too but for the last fifty years, our voice has been stifled by fear.

Fear of being blamed for inciting racial divisions we did not create. Fear of being branded a traitor to the country. Fear of being locked up under the ISA.

Could it be that we finally have the courage to face those fears? Because if we don't, we will have to carry on as we always have, and that way of life is no longer an option. Our dream is to live in a Malaysia where all, regardless of race, religion or creed, are treated equally.

I knew the winds of change were coming back in Jan this year when I was explaining the democratic system and coming elections to my ten-year old nephew. He then asked a question we have all been too fearful to ask in public: "Why can't we have a Chinese prime minister?"

I explained this would not happen in my lifetime. Perhaps it will in his? Then Barrack Obama happened. And we dared to dream again.

Malaysians of all races must stop believing in the fear that is nothing more than cunning spin by politicians unable to embrace the change that is sweeping across the country. They are clinging to old ways which simply no longer work in the 21st century.

They must stop treating us like idiots - highlighted by the recent ISA arrests. We are not idiots. We never were. We were just too fearful. Well, we no longer are. We have grown up as a nation and it's time our politicians did too.

Perhaps my nephew's views are those of an innocent and naive child but this child will grow up. And he will do so in a different Malaysia which my generation experienced.

I can only hope it will be a much better and just country that has a place for everyone regardless of race or religion. That is a dream that we will have to hold on to and work towards together.